Foldable baby rest area

ABSTRACT

A baby rest area which includes a foldable area having a folded state and an unfolded state and includes a base having a perimeter and at least three walls. Each of the walls have a length dimension, a width dimension, first opposing ends along the length dimension, and second opposing ends along the width direction. Also included are at least three hinges and at least one of the hinges is disposed on at least one of the three walls. There is also a pad removably disposed on the base when the foldable area is in the unfolded state. The at least three walls are disposed around the perimeter to enclose the base. Further, the width dimension is large enough to prevent the baby from rolling out of the foldable area.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to baby and infant care and a portablecontrolled environment.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Today's parents are very mobile and desire to travel many places evenwith a newborn or infant, e.g. a child typically 0-4 months old.However, once the parent arrives at their destination, the parenttypically would like a place to put their child, especially if the childneeds to rest. Carrying around the wide array of foldable playpens andchairs is bulky, cumbersome and sometimes intrusive. What is needed is afoldable, discrete, and lightweight area a parent can safely place theirchild.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a baby rest area which includes a baghaving an enclosure and a foldable area having a folded state to fitinside the enclosure. This enclosure can be at the bottom of the bag andseparate from the main compartment of the bag. The foldable area has anunfolded state and includes a base having a perimeter and at least threewalls. Each of the walls have a length dimension, a width dimension,first opposing ends along the length dimension, and second opposing endsalong the width direction. More than three walls can be used, with threewalls, the foldable area is shaped like a triangle. One wall can be usedto form all three sides and that acts as three walls. The wall can alsobe circular, square, rectangular, or any trapezoidal shape.

Also included are at least three hinges and at least one of the hingesis disposed on at least one of the three walls. There is also a padremovably disposed on the base when the foldable area is in the unfoldedstate.

The at least three walls are disposed around the perimeter to enclosethe base. The walls are also disposed approximately perpendicular to thebase along at least one of the second opposing ends. Thus, the widthdimension becomes the height of the foldable area when in the unfoldedstate. The hinges are disposed to allow a portion of the walls to foldpartially upon the same wall and reduce the length dimension of thewalls. Thus, the walls can fold upon themselves and in one example, theycan fold in half but in the unfolded state, the walls have a full lengthdimension and the base lies approximately flat. Further, the widthdimension is large enough to prevent the baby from rolling out of thefoldable area.

In another example, the baby rest area further has a pull tab disposedon the base. The pull tab, when pulled in a direction away from thebase, causes the hinges to fold and assist in placing the foldable areain the folded state. This alleviates confusion and makes the foldingprocess faster and easier.

In another example, the baby rest area has four walls, with a first pairof walls opposing each other and a second pair of walls opposing eachother. Each of the four walls has at least one hinge disposed at amidpoint of the length dimension and one of the first pair of walls isattached to one of the second pair of walls at one of the first opposingends with at least one of the hinges.

The bag can further have a second enclosure and the pad can be foldableand disposed in the second enclosure in a folded state. Alternately, thepad can be disposed in the enclosure in a folded state.

Another example of a foldable baby rest area has a foldable area havinga folded state and an unfolded state. The foldable area includes a basehaving a perimeter, a first pair of walls opposing each other, and asecond pair of walls opposing each other. Each of the first pair andsecond pair of walls have a length dimension, a width dimension, firstopposing ends along the length dimension, and second opposing ends alongthe width direction. Hinges are disposed on at least each one of thefirst pair and second pair of walls, and in some examples, at themidpoints. One of the first pair of walls is attached to one of thesecond pair of walls at one of the first opposing ends with at least oneof the hinges. A pad can be removably disposed on the base when thefoldable area is in the unfolded state.

The first and second pairs of walls are disposed around the perimeter toenclose the base, the first and second pairs of walls are disposedapproximately perpendicular to the base along at least one of the secondopposing ends. The hinges are disposed to allow a portion of the wallsto fold partially upon the same walls and reduce the length dimension ofthe walls. In the unfolded state the walls have a full length dimensionand the base lies approximately flat, and the width dimension is largeenough to prevent the baby from rolling out of the foldable area.

In an example of the foldable baby rest area the length dimension of thefirst pair of walls is greater than the length dimension of the secondpair of walls, and the width dimension of the first pair of walls isequal to the width dimension of the second pair of walls. Additionally,the pad can include a first mating fastener and the base furthercomprises a second mating fastener that engages the first matingfastener.

The foldable baby rest area can further include a pull tab disposed onthe base. The pull tab, when pulled in a direction away from the base,causes the hinges to partially fold and assist in placing the foldablearea in the folded state.

Additional advantages and novel features will be set forth in part inthe description which follows, and in part will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon examination of the following and theaccompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation ofthe examples. The advantages of the present teachings may be realizedand attained by practice or use of various aspects of the methodologies,instrumentalities and combinations set forth in the detailed examplesdiscussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord withthe present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation.In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similarelements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a fully folded rest area and bag of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a foldable area as it is being unfolded;

FIG. 3 illustrates the removal of a folded support pad;

FIG. 4 illustrates the support pad and foldable area combination;

FIG. 5 illustrates one step in collapsing the foldable area;

FIG. 6 illustrates another step in collapsing the foldable area;

FIG. 7 illustrates replacing the foldable area in the bag;

FIG. 8 illustrates replacing the folded support pad;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of attaching the bag to a stroller; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a second step of the example of FIG. 9 to secure thebag to the stroller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilledin the art that the present teachings may be practiced without suchdetails. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, andcomponents, have been described at a relatively high-level, withoutdetail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the presentteachings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the present invention. A bag 100 isstyled as a typical purse, backpack, briefcase, diaper bag, or baby bag.The bag 100 can have one or more inside or outside pockets (notillustrated) to facilitate carrying of cellular telephones, multimediadevices, diapers, wipes, baby food, bottles, etc. In one example, thebag 100 has a shoulder strap 102, but one of ordinary skill in the artaware of many different handle and strap configurations and sizes andthe present invention is not limited to illustrated strap design. Inanother example, the bag 100 can have a zipper 104 to close the internalenclosure, or a main portion 112, of the bag 100. Again, one of ordinaryskill in the art is aware of typical closures for the bag 100.

The bag 100 also has a foldable area enclosure 110. The enclosure 110,in an example, is at a bottom 106 of the bag 100, but can be locatedanywhere on an outside 108 of the bag 100. The enclosure 110 can beseparated from the main bag 112 by a partition. This partition can besolid or vented as the design allows. The enclosure 110, in anotherexample, can be opened and closed by means of a closure device 114, i.e.zippers, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, etc.

FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a foldable area 200. The foldable area200, in an example, is rectangular in shape, but can be any geometricshape. In the rectangular example, the foldable area has two long walls202 and two short walls 204. The two long walls 202 typically opposeeach other, and the two short walls 204 typically oppose each other aswell. The long and short walls 202, 204, in one example, alternate insequence around a perimeter, are approximately perpendicular to eachother, and are joined at ends 220.

The walls 202, 204 can be rigid and are attached to, and approximatelyperpendicular to, a base 206. The walls 202, 204 can attach to theperimeter of the base 206 to allow the base 206 to act as a floor to thefoldable area 200. The base 206 can be completely flexible or have somerigidity. In one example, the base 206 is made of fabric with nostiffening. This facilitates the folding of the foldable area 200.However, in other examples, the base 206 has some stiffening but canstill be folded, based on the nature of the stiffening or pre-designedseams to allowing bending.

The walls 202, 204 have one or more joints 208. Joints 208 allow thewalls 202, 204 to bend, either in only one direction, or in bothdirections. Thus, the joints 208 can allow approximately 180° or 360° ofrotational freedom. In one example, the joints 208 are located at themidpoint of the walls 202, 204, but the joints 208 can be locatedanywhere along the walls 202, 204 to facilitate the folding of thefoldable area 200. The joints 208 can be weakened areas of the materialthat forms the walls 202, 204, that allows for a uniform design and ahinged area. In other examples, the walls 202, 204 can be two pieces(see FIG. 4, 202 a, 202 b and 204 a, 204 b) separated by a hinge 208.The hinge 208 can run the width 212 of the walls 202, 204 (i.e. like apiano hinge). In other examples, the hinge 208 can be attached onlyportions of the width 212 of the walls 202, 204.

Note that in one example, the width 212 of the walls 202, 204 is alsothe dimension of the height 212 of the foldable area 200. Also note,that in one example, the height 212 of all walls 202, 204 is equal,while in other examples, one or more of the walls 202, 204 have unequalheight 212. The height 212 of the walls 212 is designed to keep theinfant inside the foldable area 200. The height 212 is such that if theinfant somehow rolls, the infant will not roll out of the foldable area200. Another feature of the height 212 is to occlude the infant's visionto the sides. This blocks out many distractions, focuses the infant onlyon the ceiling, and provides a better environment to allow the infant torest.

In a further example, the height 212 is such that it is higher than the“thickness” of the infant. Here, if the foldable area 200 is usedoutdoors, insect netting can be placed over the foldable area 200 andallowed to rest on the walls 202, 204. The height 212 is high enough sothe netting will not come to rest on the infant inside the foldable area200.

In another example, the walls 202, 204 have a length 214 and, as notedabove, the joints 208 can be at the mid point or ½ of length 214. Thewalls 202, 204, joints 208, and the base 206, are configured as such toallow the foldable area 200 to fold down upon it self to have adimension of ½ the length 214 and maintain the width 212. A foldedthickness 216 (see FIG. 7) of the foldable area 200 can be approximatelythe sum of the thicknesses of the walls 202, 204 and an incrementalamount for the base 206.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial stage in the unfolding of the foldable area200. In this example, one long wall 202 is unfolded along joint 208.This exposes the internally folded other long wall 202 and the shortwalls 204. In opening the one long wall 202 like a book, the other longwall 202 and the two short walls 204 begin to unfold and take shape.This creates an unfolded dimension of the length 214 of the long walls202, the length of the short walls 204 and the width 212. Thus, thesurface area of the base 206 is the area enclosed by the lengths 214. Inanother example, the foldable area 200 is sized and shaped to fit aninfant. The foldable area 200, in one example, is sized to accommodate95% of all infants from age 0-4 months old. In one example, the foldablearea 200 can be approximately 30 inches by approximately 17 inches.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the support pad 300. The support pad 300 can beplaced over the base 206 to add padded comfort for the infant. The pad300 is made out of known materials, and in certain examples can vary inthe amount of padding supplied and/or can be waterproof on at least oneside. The pad 300 can stay within the foldable area 200 by gravityand/or friction, or can be attached to the base 206 or the walls 202,204 by any removable fastener known to those of ordinary skill (i.e.button, zipper, snap, hook and loop, etc.) The long walls 202 can have alength 214 a and the short walls 204 can have a length 214 b. Thesupport pad 300 can be dimensioned similar to the lengths 214 a, 214 bto form an approximately dimensioned similar geometric shape as the base206 of the foldable area 200.

The support pad 300, in one example, can also be designed to fold. Seams302 can be formed in the pad 300 to allow either one-way or two-wayfolding. The pad 300 can be hinged similar to joints 208, but in oneexample, the seams 302 are preferable since no gaps or raised areas areformed, making a comfortable resting area for an infant. As illustratedin FIG. 4, the pad 300 can be designed to fold in half once in eachdirection. In other examples, the pad 300 can be folded numerous timesin any direction to facilitate folding.

The pad 300 can be stored folded inside the main bag 112, as illustratedin FIG. 3. When stored in the main bag 112, the pad 300 can be usedwithout the foldable area 200 and double as a baby changing pad. A backside (not illustrated) of the pad 300 can be formed with pockets (alsonot illustrated) to carry at least one diaper and wipes. Alternately,the pad 300 can be folded to the same dimensions as the folded foldablearea 200 and stored in the enclosure 110 along with the foldable area200.

Further, the pad 300 can include a head rest 304 which is configured tohold an infant's head when it is placed on the pad 300. The head rest304 may have a donut shape, as shown, or may have another shape, such asa triangle, square, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, or a pair ofseparated lines, resembling an equals sign. The donut shape of the headrest 304 allows the infant to be placed accurately within the foldablerest area 200. Moreover, the head rest 304 reduces stress on the back ofthe infant's head, thereby reducing the likelihood of the infant's headbeing flattened (known as plagiocephaly). The head rest 304 can beformed of a soft and supportive material. For example, the head rest 304could include a fabric material filled with stuffing, or a foam core. Inan additional example, pad 304 can have a recess matched to the headrest 304 to allow for flat folding.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate collapsing the foldable area 200 to its foldedstate. A pull tab 500 can be attached to base 206. The pull tab 500 canlie flat until it is needed. Once a user desires to fold the foldablearea 200, the user grabs the pull tab 500 and pulls in a direction awayfrom the base 206 (i.e. up), preferably pulling approximatelyperpendicularly away from the base 206. The pull tab 500 assists infolding the foldable area 200 by drawing the base 206 up. This thendraws the walls 202, 204 closer together, forcing them to bend at theirjoints 208 and ends 220. This also facilitates folding since the walls202, 204 are naturally drawn to fold inwards to eliminate confusion.

FIG. 6, while similar to FIG. 2, illustrates an example of the foldinginstead of the unfolding the foldable area 200. One long wall 202 isfolded in half along joint 208 and folded internally toward the otherlong wall 202. The short walls 204 are folded in half, internally towardeach other. The other long wall 202 is also folded in half to enclosethe one long wall 202 and the two short walls 204. This creates thefolded dimension of ½ the length 214 and the width 212. In anotherexample, the foldable area 200 is sized and shaped to fit the enclosure110. Alternately, the enclosure 110 can be shaped to accommodate thefoldable area 200 with slight tolerances for a tight fit.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the folded foldable area 200 be placedinside enclosure 110. FIG. 8 illustrates pad 300 being placed inside themain bag 212. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an example of the bag 100 beingattached to a stroller 900. The strap 102 can be unfastened from the bag100 looped around a handle 910 of the stroller 900 and then reattachedto the bag 100 to secure the bag 100 to the stroller 900.

In one example, the foldable area 200 is made of plastic or fiberboardwalls 202, 204. The walls 202, 204 can be formed as a single uniformwall with joints 208 at the midpoints and also at the ends 220 of thewalls 202, 204. Alternately, the walls 202, 204 can all be two pieces(202 a, 202 b, 204 a, 204 b) and not connected at the ends 220 (corners)to the other walls. The joints 208 do not have to be hinges, the walls202 a, 202 b, 204 a, 204 b can be covered in a fabric sleeve slightlylarger than the dimensions of the wall, to allow the walls to bend andthe midpoints and ends. As noted above, the base 206 can be fabric andattached to the walls 202, 204 or the fabric covering the walls. Thebase 206 can be permanently or removably attached to one or more walls202, 204. In the illustrated example, the base 206 is secured to allfour walls 202, 204. However, in other examples, the base 206 can bepermanently attached to one wall 202, and removably attached, by azipper for example, to the remaining three walls 202, 204.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the bestmode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modificationsmay be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may beimplemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may beapplied in numerous applications, only some of which have been describedherein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and allapplications, modifications and variations that fall within the truescope of the present teachings.

1. A baby rest area comprising: a bag having an enclosure; a foldablearea having a folded state to fit inside the enclosure, and an unfoldedstate, the foldable area comprising: a base having a perimeter; at leastthree walls, each wall having a length dimension, a width dimension,first opposing ends along the length dimension, and second opposing endsalong the width direction; and at least three hinges, wherein at leastone of the hinges is disposed on at least one of the three walls; and apad removably disposed on the base when the foldable area is in theunfolded state; wherein the at least three walls are disposed around theperimeter to enclose the base, the walls are disposed approximatelyperpendicular to the base along at least one of the second opposingends, wherein the hinges are disposed to allow a portion of the walls tofold partially upon the same walls and reduce the length dimension ofthe walls, wherein in the unfolded state the walls have a full lengthdimension and the base lies approximately flat, wherein in the foldedstate, only one of the at least three walls folds over the remainder ofthe at least three walls; and wherein the width dimension is largeenough to prevent the baby from rolling out of the foldable area.
 2. Thebaby rest area of claim 1, wherein the foldable area further comprises apull tab disposed on the base; wherein the pull tab, when pulled in adirection away from the base, causes the hinges to fold and assist inplacing the foldable area in the folded state.
 3. The baby rest area ofclaim 1, wherein the at least three walls comprise four walls, with afirst pair of walls opposing each other and a second pair of wallsopposing each other, wherein each of the four walls has at least onehinge disposed at a midpoint of the length dimension; and wherein one ofthe first pair of walls is attached to one of the second pair of wallsat one of the first opposing ends with at least one of the hinges. 4.The baby rest area of claim 1, wherein the bag further comprises asecond enclosure; and wherein the pad is foldable and can be disposed inthe second enclosure in a folded state.
 5. The baby rest area of claim1, wherein the pad is foldable and can be disposed in the enclosure in afolded state.
 6. A foldable baby rest area comprising: a foldable areahaving a folded state and an unfolded state, the foldable areacomprising: a base having a perimeter; a first pair of walls opposingeach other; a second pair of walls opposing each other; wherein, each ofthe first pair and second pair of walls have a length dimension, a widthdimension, first opposing ends along the length dimension, and secondopposing ends along the width direction; and hinges disposed on at leasteach one of the first pair and second pair of walls; wherein one of thefirst pair of walls is attached to one of the second pair of walls atone of the first opposing ends with at least one of the hinges; and apad removably disposed on the base when the foldable area is in theunfolded state; wherein the first and second pairs of walls are disposedaround the perimeter to enclose the base, the first and second pairs ofwalls are disposed approximately perpendicular to the base along atleast one of the second opposing ends, wherein the hinges are disposedto allow a portion of the walls to fold partially upon the same wallsand reduce the length dimension of the walls, wherein in the unfoldedstate the walls have a full length dimension and the base liesapproximately flat, wherein in the folded state, only one of the atleast three walls folds over the remainder of the at least three wall;and wherein the width dimension is large enough to prevent the baby fromrolling out of the foldable area.
 7. The foldable baby rest area ofclaim 6, wherein the length dimension of the first pair of walls isgreater than the length dimension of the second pair of walls, andwherein the width dimension of the first pair of walls is equal to thewidth dimension of the second pair of walls.
 8. The foldable baby restarea of claim 6, wherein the pad further comprises a first matingfastener and the base further comprises a second mating fastener thatengages the first mating fastener.
 9. The foldable baby rest area ofclaim 6, wherein the foldable area further comprises a pull tab disposedon the base; wherein the pull tab, when pulled in a direction away fromthe base, causes the hinges to partially fold and assist in placing thefoldable area in the folded state.
 10. The foldable baby rest area ofclaim 6, wherein the pad further comprises a head rest at a top end ofthe pad.